Latch-supporting clip



Jan. 29, 1957 P. H. GREVENGOED ET AL 2,779,186

LATCH-SUPPORTING CLIP Filed March 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 United StatesPatent() LATCH-SUPPORTING CLIP Paul H. Grevengoed and Herbert W. Young,Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to National Brass Company, Grand Rapids,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 6, 1953, Serial No.340,684

8 Claims. (Cl. 70451) The present invention provides an easily-installedsupport for a conventional latch mechanism mounted in a hollowstructure. The almost exclusive use of wood in the past as the materialof which doors were manufactured is partially giving way to the use offabricated sheet metal structures, and also to the use of hollowextruded sections. With the wood door, the mounting of the latchmechanism involves no problem of providing support, since the bore inwhich the mechanism is inserted provides a substantially continuouscylindrical surface which can be as snug a tit as appears to bedesirable. When this portion of the door is a hollow structure of sheetmetal on the order of a sixteenth of an inch in thickness, an entirelyditerent situation is present. Under these circumstances, the walls ofthe hollow door structure are capable of providing support to the latchmechanism only at the edge of the door where the mechanism intersectsthe Wall. Under most'circumstances, the diameter or thickness of thelatch mechanism will be less than the space between the opposite walls,and the inner extremity of the latch mechanism will therefore be leftunsupported against movement in the direction perpendicular to the planeof the door. Even if the walls have a spacing closely approximating thethickness of the latch mechanism, there still will be no support againstangular movement in the plane of the door with the mechanism tending topivot about the point where it emerges from the edge of the hollowstructure. The installation of extra equipment during the manufacture ofthe door to stabilize the inner end of the latch mechanism is a rathercumbersome and expensive operation in view of the necessity of cuttingout enough of the wall structure to permit the necessary equipment to beinstalled. Extra fastenings and other similar items most certainly willadversely aiiect the cost of the entire installation. v

The present invention provides a support for the inner end of the latchmechanism without the necessity of tearing apart the door structure inthis area. Installation of the supporting member is made at the apertureprovided for the insertion of the transverse bar operating the roll-backmechanism. A somewhat larger aperture than would be necessary merely forthe passage of the bar is used in order to accommodate the presentinvention, but the size of this aperture is such that it can easily becovered by the molded area of the knob or by a suitable escutcheon, ifdesired. Y

The supporting member is preferably formedr of spring steel or somesimilar material which will permit a considerable yielding action.member is arcuate in form, and has a chordal length somewhat in excessof the diameter of the hole in the wall of the structure through whichit is to be inserted. Insertion through the hole therefore requires aconsiderable amount of deflection; and on arrival at its fully installedposition, suitable abutments are provided on the member permitting it tosnap into a position from which it cannotI be withdrawn except by againdeflecting it. The supporting member contains an aperture adapted to re-In the free condition, theA ice ceive the inner end of the latchmechanism, and the insertion of the latch mechanism through thisaperture would tend to limit or remove a considerable amount of thenatural resilience of the piece so as to establish a locking actionpreventing inadvertent removal of the supporting member from itsinstalled position. The overall eiect of the supporting member is simplyto transfer the forces applied to the housing of the latch mechanismover to the walls of the hollow structure. This transfer of forces isaccomplished while maintaining the axis of the latch mechanism in itsproper relationship with the door structure. Several modifications ofthe present invention are discussed herein.

The several features of the present invention will be discussed indetail through an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated inthe. accompanying drawings. In the drawings,

Figure l shows a perspective view of a latch mechanism installed in ahollow door structure, with the inner end supported by a clipconstructed according to the present invention. A portion of the doorstructure is broken away for clarity.

lFigure 2 is a view of the supporting clip shown installed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the plane 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view showing the supporting clip in the position in whichit is inserted.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of the present invention provided with alocating tab for orienting the supporting clip with respect to the axisof the latch mechamsm. f

Figure 6 is a further modification of the present invention, alsoprovided with orienting means.

, Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the installation of a modiiiedform of the present invention requiring an aperture in only one wall ofthe hollow structure.

Figure 8 shows a further modification of the present invention.

Referring to Figure I, a latch mechanism designated generally at 10 isshown mounted in the hollow siderail 11 of a door. This member is shownformed as an extruded section (usually of aluminum) having the oppositeWalls 12 and 13 between which the latch mechanism 10 is positioned. Anangular portion formed by the back wall 14 and the extension 15accommodates glass, screen, or any other convenient panel material. Thefront wall 16 of the rail 11 is conventionally bored with an aperture ofsuicient size to receive the latch mechanism 10, and the mechanism maybe retained in position with respect to preventing outward movement bythe provision of a ange 17 on the housing of the latch mechanism 10which cooperates with the opposite keyways 18 and 19 in the rail 11. Theprovision of opposite flats (one of these indicated at 20) permits theinsertion of the flange into the keyways 18 and 19 when the latchmechanism is turned about its axis approximately ninety degrees from theposition shown in Figure 1. The dimension across the ats must of coursebe less than the distance between the ridges Z1 and 22. The insertion ofthe latch mechanism at a position ninety degrees removed from that shownin Figure 1 is made prior to the insertion of the .transverse bar 23,which is installed after the latch mechanism has been positioned asshown.

The installation of the latch mechanism 10 in this fashion will resultin establishing a iirm support for the outer end adjacent the bolt 24.The inner end 25, however, will be left suspended unless furtherstructure is utilized. To provide support in this area, a clip 26 ispositioned as shown in Figure l. The installation of the clip 26 is madethrough the opening 27 machined in the wall 12 of the rail 11. Anopening substantially coaxial withi the opening., 27 .-is:.fnecessary toaccommodate" the cross bar 23, ,sothe.formingofthe openingZLisnotin anysense an additional operation to that which would be required withoutthe present invention. Preferably, an .op ening,..v28.A similar to; 27is provided inethe opposite wall 13:,l and the-clip,- 26constructedfto.,cooperatewwith both of these openings.

The constructionofthe clip 26 fisrmost-tclearlyindicated in Figures 2and 3. ,'In; the formfshowninzthe:drawings, this clip is-ressentially.an arcuate paneLformed-fof a resilient material (preferably springsteel)and having a central hole.:29 to: accommodate-.thelatch'mechanism 10. Aportion Aof .the arcuate panel section extends between the oppositeywalls 12\:and.13.,,and :abutmentfmeans as indicated `at'EilandM;areiorrned:fby;.the ilanges 32. The.chordal;.distanceztorglength 33(referto: Figure 3) across the outer extremities .of;the angesz; isgreater thanthe diameter ofthe?. aperture'. 27. vlnsertion ofv the clip26 in the aperture: 27 is therefore accomplished/.las shown'in Figure- 4through an application'of vforceszin the direction of the arrows tendingto deect theclip a` sufcicnt amount/to permitithepassage throughthewaperture. Such -deiiection `results-in decreasez-'ofthe-chordallength 33. On release ofthe forces', the 'clip:springs'out Wardly-so.that the flanges y32y are `retained .between the walls l2 and 13. Ifdesired, tabs as indicatedsat 341.and 35 may be used'tosupplementythe-Labutments` 30.-and"31 so that the clip 26 will be positionedbetween the-walls 12 and' 13--at severalpoints.

The installation of the clip 26 is made prior to the -insertion of thelatch lmechanism' fli). Afterthe 'clip' 26 has been postioned andthe'latch4 mechanism inserted-in the assembledrelationship-shown inFigure l,- the lpresence of the latch mechanism in the 'opening `29 lofthe clip 26 serves to considerably limit the deliection fof the clip 26and to thereby lock it against accidental displacement which mightdisengage'the abutments30 andf31. The clip 26 is preferably providedwith the tabs V36 and 37 formed of material adjacent'the openingy29,thedistance between the free ends 'of these tabs being'less than thethickness of the latch mechanism at thispoint. The insertion of thelatch mechanism therefore causesthe tabs 3o and 37 to resiliently bearon the housing, and to give solid support regardless of the accumulationof manufacturing tolerances. A further function of the tabs 36 and 37 isto permit only a one-way relativemovement between the clip 26 and thellatch mechanism 10. Due to the fact that the tabs 36 and 37 engage thehousing of the latch mechanism 10 atan angle, 'movement of the housingin an outward direction would tend Yto cause the tabs 36 and 37 to bitemore 'rmly into the housing and establish a jamming action. Ifvmeans areutilized to securely locate the supporting clip v26 withinxthe aperture27 against movement parallel'to the axis of the latch mechanism, it ispossible to utilize the. tabs`36 and'37 to perform the entire functionof locating'the latch. mechanism within the doorA rather'than rely upon.the engagement ofthe flange 17 with the ,keyways 1S and 19. Under thesecircumstances, the flange 17 maybe reduced 'in diameter to where it isfree to pass between the anges 2i and 22, theange 17 then being utilizedmerely to limit the degree of movement of the mechanism within the doorduring installation.

In Figure 5, amodification of the present invention .is shown which isprovided with means ,for properly orienting the clip about the axis ofthe aperture in whichitis installed. The transverse aperture. 39formedlinth'e wall 40 of the door is similar to the aperture 27 shown inFigure l. Prior to the .drilling .of the opening 39, however, a smallerhole 41 is drilled, withits center -approximately intersecting theposition ofthe periphery of the hole 39. After the holef41f-isdrilled,.tl1e mechining of the` hole39 'will intersect thehole.41toiforn1 an arcuate recess` which `can `be used f. to .orientthefclip sof-that the aperture29 is properly disposed to receive the latch.mechanism .10.

The use of opposite apertures 42 and 43, as shown in Figure 6, which areformed in ra similar fashion to the aperture 41 of Figure 5, may be usedto orient the clip 44 and also serve the purpose of positivelypositioning the clip against movement parallel to the axis of the latchmechanism. The tabs 45, 46, and 47 are positioned to project into the.aperture..48,. andthe remainder of the panel portion .of .the clip 44is of such a dimension as to be positionedbetween the inner and outerwalls of the supportingstructure.

Figure 7 indicates a modified form of the present invention illustratinguse in situations in which an aperture is feasible in only .oneside ofthedoor. The clip 49 is positioned between the walls 50 and 51, with aprojection portion 52 extending into the aperture 53. The end 54 of theclip and also the shoulders 55 at the ends of the flanges 56iormfzopposite abutments transferring forces to the'wa'lls50 and 51applied atthe aperture 57 by a latch mechanism.

A'supportingclip may also be'. formed .as indicated in Figure 8 insuchafashion as to substantially exceed one hundred-eighty degreesI ofcurvature. Under these circumstancesg'however, -cut-away portions asindicated at 58 -and "59 must be installed to permitv the insertion ofthe latch vmechanism`through`the' supporting aperture 60. With-theclip61 formed in asubstantial portion of a complete lcylinder atpointswhere'itengages' thel walls of the doorstructure, 'thefclip willpresent a considerable stabilityagainst-'displacement' parallel tothe-axis of the latch mechanism.

The yparticular"embodiments off the present invention which haveibeenillustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only, andare not to be considered as a limitation upon the-scope ofthe appendedclaims. In lthese claims, itis-our intention to claim the entireinventiondisclos'edherein, except as we `are limited by the priorart.

We claim:

I. A Asupporting* c lip"forv a member mounted in a hollow structureAhaving oppositel holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising:l anarcuate panel Yportionv having axial a'ngesforming axiallyspacedabutment por tions at vthe ends *ofsaid anges', said clip being formedof resilient material and having an unrestrained form such f` that4Athe. chordalzdistance. Ibetween the outer extremitiesof-said*arngesexceeds the diameter `of said holesythe axial distancebetweenthe ends of .said anges' being lessthan the `inside distancebetween the opposite Walls of;saidiho1low structurefat said holes;projections extending axiallybeyond the ends of said iiangesy for'disposition within4 said holes.in bearing engagement with said walls :ata plurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes,said clip having a chordal length between the said projections yat oneend of said clip which is.less than thechordal y distance between theouter extremities of 'said flanges; and meansV dening an apertureassociated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with saidprojections ,engaging said holes, said clip .having at' least one tabadjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member onan angle.

2. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structurel having,opposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising:I an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment., por-tions and .formedVofresilientrnaterial, and having. an unrestrainedtorm such that thechordal distance between' `theouter extremities of saidabutmentvportionsexceeds .thediameter of said holes, theaxial-'distance` between ,said abutment portions `being .less thanAthe.r inside :distance tbe-.tween .the 1 opposite walls of said y hollowstructureatnaidrholes; projections extending axialtion within said holesin bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality of substantiallyspaced points around each of said holes, said clip having a chordallength between the said projections at one end of said clip which isless than the chordal distance between the said outer extremities ofsaid abutment portions; and means dening an aperture associated withsaid panel and adapted to receive said member with said projectionsengaging said holes, said clip having opposite chordal tabs adjacentsaid aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member on anangle.

3. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure havingopposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portionsexceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between saidabutment portions being less than the inside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projectionsextending axially beyond said abutment portions for disposition withinsaid holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a plurality ofsubstantially spaced points around each of said holes, said clip havinga chordal length between the said projections at one end of said clipwhich is less than the chordal distance between the said outerextremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an apertureassociated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with saidprojections engaging said holes, said clip having-at least one tabadjacent said aperture and disposed to resiliently engage said member onan angle.

4. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure havingopposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portionsexceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between saidabutment portions being less than the inside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projectionsextending axially beyond the said abutment portions a distance less thanthe thickness of the adjacent wall of said hollow structure fordisposition within said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at aplurality of substantially spaced points around each of said holes, saidclip having a chordal length between the said projections at one end ofsaid clip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outerextremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an apertureassociated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with saidprojections engaging said holes.

5. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure havingopposite holes in the walls thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portionsexceeds the diameter of said holes, the axial distance between saidabutment portions being less than the inside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said holes; projectionsextending axially beyond the said abutment portions for dispositionwithin said holes in bearing engagement with said walls at a pluralityof substantially spaced points around each of said holes, said cliphaving a chordal length between the said projections at one end of saidclip which is less than the chordal distance between the said outerextremities of said abutment portions; and means dening an apertureassociated with said panel and adapted to receive said member with saidprojections engaging said holes.

6. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having ahole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the -outer extremities of said abutmentportions exceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance betweensaid abutment portions being less than the inside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projectionextending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions fordisposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall at aplurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said cliphaving a chordal length across the said projection which is less thanthe chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutmentportion; and means defining an aperture associated with said panel andadapted to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole,said clip having at least one chordal tab adjacent said aperture anddisposed to resiliently engage said member on an angle.

7. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having ahole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portionsexceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance between saidabutment portions being less than the mside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projectionextending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions a distanceless than the thickness of the adjacent wall of said hollow structurefor disposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall ata plurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said cliphaving a chordal length across the said projection which is less thanthe chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutmentportion; and means defining an aperture associated with said panel andadapted to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole.

8. A supporting clip for a member mounted in a hollow structure having ahole in at least one wall thereof, said clip comprising: an arcuatepanel portion having axially spaced abutment portions and formed ofresilient material, and having an unrestrained form such that thechordal distance between the outer extremities of said abutment portionsexceeds the diameter of said hole, the axial distance between saidabutment portions being less than the inside distance between theopposite walls of said hollow structure at said hole; a projectionextending axially beyond one of the said abutment portions fordisposition within said hole in bearing engagement with said wall at aplurality of substantially spaced points around said hole, said cliphaving a chordal length across the said projection which is less thanthe chordal distance between the said outer extremities of said abutmentportion; and means dening an aperture associated with said panel andadapted .to receive said member with said projection engaging said hole.Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS327,624 Van Alstyne Oct. 6, 1885 1,505,380 Dexter Aug. 19, 19241,561,254 Ledin Nov. 10, 1925 1,619,032 Parsons Mar. 1, 1927 2,004,510Schlage June 11, 1935 2,091,248 Schlage Aug. 24, 1937 2,216,219 WileyOct. 1, 1940

